Hello @jerseyjames, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing your PMR experience. It sounds a lot like that of others who have shared their PMR story with trying to taper off of prednisone. My PMR is currently in remission since 2018 when I was able to taper off of prednisone for the second time. My first bout with PMR was 2007 and I was started with 20 mg prednisone. It took me three and half years to taper off with the last six months spent going between 1 mg and 1/2 mg dosage until I was finally able to stop taking it with only minor discomfort/pain. The pain from my occurrences of PMR was mostly in the shoulders, arms, hands but some in the legs. The PMR stayed in remission from 2010 until 2016 and I again went on 20 mg prednisone. This time it took about a year and half to taper off. Early in the tapering I tried to go down by 5 mg's a week but later found 2-1/2 mg worked a little better for me. I also had the doctor prescribe some 2.5 mg and 1 mg pills so that I could easily decrease in smaller amounts if needed. My rheumatologist worked with me on different tapering suggestions which were really helpful the first time around and I was able to build on that success the second time around.

There is another discussion which you might find helpful - PMR Anyone?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-anyone/

@alanbruce @olegraymare @rolandhp @phoenix0509 @terre and other members may be able to share their experience with you.

I never had a thought about impacting pain-receptors in the brain. From what I've read PMR is driven by inflammation. I do think pain-receptors in the brain can trigger pain for other conditions with PMR like symptoms. There is a little information in this article - What Is Polymyalgia Rheumatica? These Are the Signs You Could Have It: https://creakyjoints.org/education/what-is-polymyalgia-rheumatica/

Have you discussed your thoughts with your doctor or rheumatologist?